Browse Items (85 total)

  • Spatial Coverage is exactly "England--Durham (County)"

AAn00086-150722.mp3
This interviewee was working at Chatham dockyard before being accepted by the RAF as a mechanic. He then re-mustered as a flight engineer which fulfilled his hopes to be aircrew. While waiting for a place on the training course at St Athan he did…

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EUnderwoodAJWilsonWJ-M440323-0001.jpg
The writer expresses delight that Reg is safe, also his pilot.

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EUnderwoodAJWilsonWJ-M440314.jpg
The letter expresses delight that Reg is safe, as is their son and John Bushell.

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PPattersonGE1901.jpg
Before joining the Royal Air Force on 4 February 1942, Ernie worked as an apprentice joiner. On being called up he went to RAF Blackpool for training, which included Morse code. Following training at different places he then attended the advanced…

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PSharrockR1802.jpg
Bob Sharrock was the son of a miner. He worked as a milkman delivering milk via a hand cart until he was given the privilege of a pony and trap. Bob then went to work as a lab technician for a gas company before he volunteered for the RAF. He trained…

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MDyerJH1217992-160108-01.pdf
Note from his niece which gives outline of operation to Berlin on 2 January 1944. Mentions that Missing Research and Enquiry Service contacted his parents with news that his remains had been found and he and rest of crew were buried in the village of…

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PCulkinJ1702.jpg
Jean Culkin grew up in Sunderland and worked as a tea girl and then a typist in a reserved occupation. She discusses her life and her wedding to her husband, John George Mackel Culkin who was an apprentice at RAF Halton before becoming a fitter…

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PShackletonH.jpg
Henry Shackleton listened to Chamberlain’s speech on the radio and hoped to be a Spitfire pilot. He began his training and was selected as a flying instructor and was posted to Canada. On his return to the UK he was posted to his operational…

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EDonaldsonDWMoonGH441024.jpg
Congratulates the pilot officer on his award of Distinguished Flying Cross.

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YGeachDG1394781v5.pdf
Fifth and final diary kept by David Geach chronicling his time training and on operations. He writes about his return from Canada on the Queen Elizabeth then his training in England which began with arriving at the Posting Centre in Pannal Ash,…

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MPettyD189456-160831-01.jpg
Brief memoirs recorded by Doug Petty during his RAF service. They cover the period from June 1943 to April 1947.

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ADennisF090301a.mp3
Frank Dennis completed his engineering apprenticeship before he volunteered for the RAF as a flight engineer. While attending basic training he witnessed the crash of a Dakota which was a sobering reminder of the reality of what he was joining did…

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BDennisFDennisFv1.pdf
In 1943 Frank completed an engineering apprenticeship and volunteered to join the Royal Air Force as a flight engineer. He completed basic training in London, where he witnessed the fatal crash of a C-47 and then went to Initial Training Wing at RAF…

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ABiltonGHA960623-0001.pdf
George talks of early life at school and work in Hull. He volunteered as ARP messenger and describes duties and air raid damage in Hull. He then volunteered as aircrew and, initially, selected for wireless operator/air gunner but later asked to…

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EBiltonGHABilton[Mo][Date]-010001.jpg
Writes that he was okay after operation to Brunswick and now had only seven left to finish tour. Returned with 72 holes in the aircraft. Relates seeing films and discusses clothing. Mentions a visit by the King to Middleton St George.

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EBiltonGHABilton[Mo][Date]-020001.jpg
Says he is OK and asks after her holiday. Mentions rear gunner was hit in the head on operation to Ludwigshafen and was in hospital. Mentions that he will be sending her his dirty laundry and talks of weather.

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EBiltonGHABilton[Mo]XX1225-010001.jpg
Writes that he diverted down south after operation to Stuttgart. States it was a good trip but said they still lacked their own gunners and one had opened up on an enemy fighter. Writes about time they had at diversion. Catches up on family news.

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NGilbertAC161013-01.jpg
A newspaper cutting referring to an attack on Berlin. Peter Twinn and Alec Gilbert have been quoted with comments on the cold and the fires in Berlin.

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PCavalierRG17010007.jpg
Photograph 1 is of the operations board for 76 Squadron.
Photograph 2 is of the operations board for 78 Squadron 30 May 1942.
They are captioned: 'Operations Board, Target Cologne Germany, June 1942. 76 Squadron, 78 Squadron, Halifax A/C. R.A.F.…

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PCavalierRG17010030.jpg
Photograph 1 is a vertical aerial photograph of the city of Aachen. There are numbered and arrowed points of interest on the image plus a north arrow. It is annotated 'R405 B/218.3.PRU 22.14.7.41 28" ' Captioned '14th July 1941 Archen [sic],…

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LNorthGJ173836v1.pdf
Royal Air Force observer's and air gunner's flying log book for Pilot Officer Geoffrey North, air gunner, covering the period from 17 June 1942 to 29 September 1945. Detailing training, operations, repatriation and post war flying. He was stationed…

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LWarnerJ1623709v1.pdf
Navigator's, air bomber's and air gunner's flying log book for Jack Warner, flight engineer. Covering the period from 2 July 1943 to 28 January 1945. Detailing his flying training and operations flown. He was stationed at RAF Topcliffe, RAF Leeming,…

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LWhittleGG1397166v1.pdf
Observers and air gunners flying log book for Geoffrey Whittle, navigator, covering the period from 4 November 1942 to 26 July 1953. Detailing his flying training, instructor duties and post war flying. He was stationed at RAF West Freugh, RAF…

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LBeethamMJ[Ser#-DoB]v2.pdf
Pilots flying log book for Michael James Beetham, covering the period from 5 December 1945 to 18 July 1952. Detailing his post war squadron duties, staff duties, flying training and instructor duties and flew the victory day fly past and good will…

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LPaineGH1894345v1.pdf
Pilots flying log book for G H Paine, covering the period from 4 January 1945 to 25 July 1949. Detailing his flying training, post war squadron duties with 511 squadron and instructor duties. He was stationed at RAF Anstey, RAF Guinea Fowl, RAF…

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